
The Water Rescue dummies are used extensively by NATO forces, British and US Navies, 100% of UK Fire Services and all the sea rescue agencies.
Originally developed in conjunction with the Royal National Lifeboat Institute (R.N.L.I), Greater Manchester Fire Service Water Incident Support Section and the British Navy; these dummies perfectly simulate unconscious casualties in water.
The Water Rescue dummies can be supplied in two forms, 'man overboard' or 'search and rescue'. The Man Overboard models have been given NATO stock number - 0472-99-7837372 and the Search and Rescue model has been given the NATO stock number - 4210-99-5942538

Construction is similar to the General Purpose range, but utilises a heavy-duty Nylon mesh for the carcass and non-absorbent closed cell foam for buoyancy. The nylon mesh carcass allows the water to flood out of the dummy as it is being recovered, it further allows better ventilation when the dummy is hung up to dry. Strong plastic strips run from the shoulder area to the knee joint, these strips allow flexibility in and out of the water, but do not allow the dummy to bend in half when the patient is lifted from the front; this modification facilitates easier rescues using stretchers or recovery devices like a Jason's Cradle.
With the addition of the Thermal Tabard accessory and heat packs, rescuers can practice searches using their thermal imaging cameras.
For alternative rescue scenarios where the patient is basically un-injured and well, such as Man Overboard from a yacht or IRB rescues or racing, see our Conscious Casualty dummy
Both Man-Overboard and Search & Rescue models are available in adult 40kg and Youth 20kg sizes.
All water rescue training dummies are supplied complete with Wellington boots which greatly protect the legs if the dummy is dragged along the ground - they are user-replaceable if damaged.
The protective overalls keep the dummy clean, and greatly increases the lifespan of the dummy; they are produced using polyurethane coated polyester, coloured either in orange (to BS EN 471) for the Man-Overboard model or black for the Search and Rescue model.
The overalls are reinforced with high density polypropylene webbing in identified high stress areas. The ends of the arms have open nylon mesh to allow water draining. The overalls are machine washable and replacements are available as spare parts.
The secret to the realistic Water Rescue dummy performance is the designed balance of the weighting vs. the buoyancy - and the tough nylon mesh carcass. When the dummy enters the water the nylon mesh allows the water to rapidly penetrate the dummy. After a few minutes the legs of the dummy will drop below the surface, resting at an angle of about 45 degrees to the surface, the head and shoulder will be above the surface.
When retrieving the dummy the water will flood out; the rate at which the water drains out is directly related to the speed of the retrieval - the faster the retrieval the more water in the dummy and therefore the heavier the dummy will be. As a guide, a fast 'snatch' retrieval may almost double the dry weight of the dummy ie: 40kg dummy will weight about 70kg. A more realistic retrieval rate will result in a haul of 50-60 kg.
The Man Overboard Manikin can be seen in the video below being used in conjunction with the Sea Scoopa Man Overboard Rescue Device. The manikin is being used in the horizontal position in this clip

Note the lifting loop sewn into the back - the dummy can be lifted and hung up to dry using this.
The Search & Rescue dummy has an optional black nylon mesh hood that can be fitted to the head of the dummy to lower it's visibility. A simple draw string holds the hood on securely.
We recently received the following letter (click to read) from a yachting team in the UK that used one of our water rescue models for man overboard training.
We are very proud to be able to supply a service that has the possibility of saving many lives.